Giants Keen To Go One Better

Lachie Whitefield was one of the Giants' best last week. Image courtesy of gwsgiants.com.au

GWS v Essendon
Spotless Stadium
Saturday June 7 – 7:40 PM (AEST)

Form
GWS: LLLLLEssendon: LWWLW

The Giants couldn’t quite manage a win over the reigning champions last week, but they will look to bring that form into this weekend’s clash with the Bombers at Spotless Stadium.

GWS has actually been competitive in its three previous matches against Essendon. The Giants have been in touch at half-time in their past two clashes before falling away. If they can produce a four-quarter effort this time around, perhaps GWS can go one better than last week's honourable defeat to the Hawks.

Cale Hooker, who this season has emerged as arguably the AFL's best key defender, has taken the most marks in the competition. Hooker has 96 to his name in 2014 and averages 9.6 per round. The next best is St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt (8.5 per round).

Essendon's record is 5-5, just one win outside the top eight. This is a crucial match for the Bombers - if they drop it, it could ruin their season. But Mark Thompson's charges showed last Saturday night that they are heading up the ladder, not down it.

Jeremy Cameron's suspension is a real blow for GWS, which needed the All Australian to fire in order to kick a score sufficient to beat Essendon.